The Cartographers’ Guild is a forum created by and for map makers and aficionados, a place where every aspect of cartography can be admired, examined, learned, and discussed. Our membership consists of professional designers and artists, hobbyists, and amateurs—all are welcome to join and participate in the quest for cartographic skill and knowledge.

Although we specialize in maps of fictional realms, as commonly used in both novels and games (both tabletop and role-playing), many Guild members are also proficient in historical and contemporary maps. Likewise, we specialize in computer-assisted cartography (such as with GIMP, Adobe apps, Campaign Cartographer, Dundjinni, etc.), although many members here also have interest in maps drafted by hand.

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ. You will have to register before you can post or view full size images in the forums.

Hybrid View

Current Tile-based software?

Hi all,
I'm trying to find some good software to make some tile-based maps of dungeons and fantasy-based towns/villages.
I don't want to create my own tiles, I'm hoping there's enough libraries/content out there and I just place the tiles.
What's the current state of tile-based mapping software?
Is it easy to find pre-generated content, ie free maps?
thanks

There are number of free as well as paid software to stitch together tiles out there. What is your intended purpose?

Home use or commercial?
computer screen/website or print?

If you are looking to make makes for commercial use, you will likely have to purchase software to get a good wide selection of usable elements. In this case, ProFrantasy has a decent backlog of stuff in their CC3 product line, especially if you include the annuals. Fractal Mapper has some some less than that. Also, you can find some stuff all over the web, but most of it is licensed for non commercial use.

Now, if you are just using for home use, then your options of "concent" go WAY up. Dundjinni's forums, rpgmapshare.com, etc.

Check out the software forum for a sticky. Lot's of stuff in there to look through. Ultimately, you could use a good simple graphics product such as GIMP, PhotoShop, or whatever else as long as it supports some type of snap to grid feature.

There are number of free as well as paid software to stitch together tiles out there. What is your intended purpose?

Home use or commercial?
computer screen/website or print?

If you are looking to make makes for commercial use, you will likely have to purchase software to get a good wide selection of usable elements. In this case, ProFrantasy has a decent backlog of stuff in their CC3 product line, especially if you include the annuals. Fractal Mapper has some some less than that. Also, you can find some stuff all over the web, but most of it is licensed for non commercial use.

Now, if you are just using for home use, then your options of "concent" go WAY up. Dundjinni's forums, rpgmapshare.com, etc.

Check out the software forum for a sticky. Lot's of stuff in there to look through. Ultimately, you could use a good simple graphics product such as GIMP, PhotoShop, or whatever else as long as it supports some type of snap to grid feature.

Hey, thanks for that. I've read the sticky, I just wasn't sure how up to date it was, especially with respect to available content etc.
It's for commercial use, sadly. I say sadly as I can't forsee any revenue from the project I'm doing (I want to give it away) but plenty of costs ($$$ and time).

Because of the time issue I want something that will let me churn out reasonable maps quickly. To be honest I'd rather favour speed over quality, within reason. That's also why I asked about free content.

CC3 looks nice, but perhaps a bit expensive for a hobbyist like me.

NB: my game design demands square tiles

EDIT: sorry for the delayed reply. I wrote this days ago but it didn't post. Thank goodness for the autosave!

I've got the same problem and haven't found an easy solution. Right now I'm using a mix of Photoshop and Illustrator. I'm making my own tiles too. As far as I've seen there is nothing out there that looks good and is easy to use. If you find something like that let me know too.